Printer Roller Release Mechanism Using Horizontal Slider

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recording apparatuses require a large installation space to remove jammed paper sheets between driving and driven rollers, as they rely on a cam-based release structure that necessitates a significant height for the roller support mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A recording apparatus with a slider that linearly displaces to engage and disengage the roller support member, allowing the driven roller to switch between contact and released states, utilizing the space under the transportation unit and enabling operation from outside the apparatus housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cam-based release structure is used to move the driven roller away from the driving roller, then the roller can be released to remove jammed paper sheets, but a large installation space in the height direction is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper sheet removalVSAvoidapparatus housing height

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the movement direction of the roller support member from vertical (height direction) to horizontal (width direction). The roller support member moves along the width direction to switch between the contact state and released state, thereby avoiding the need for vertical space and reducing the apparatus housing height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The release structure is designed to proactively create space for paper removal by moving the driven roller away from the driving roller in the width direction before the user needs to remove the jammed paper. This preliminary action prevents the need for complex manual intervention and reduces the overall space requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a cam and roller support member mechanism is installed on the upper side of the transportation path, then the driven roller can be released from the driving roller, but the apparatus housing height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller release functionVSAvoidapparatus housing height

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention relocates the release mechanism from the vertical dimension (upper side of transportation path) to the horizontal dimension (width direction). The roller support member moves horizontally to achieve roller release, eliminating the need for vertical clearance and reducing the apparatus housing height while maintaining full release functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the roller support member vertically upward to release the roller (conventional approach), the invention moves it horizontally in the width direction. This inverted approach achieves the same release function while optimizing the vertical space and reducing the overall apparatus height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS9375954B2Recording apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.06.28 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printer includes a first roller and a second roller that pinch a paper sheet therebetween and rotate to transport the paper sheet to the recording unit, a roller support member that support the second roller and is capable of switching between a first state in which the second roller is in contact with the first roller and a second state in which the second roller is moved away from the first roller, and a slider that engages the roller support member and is linearly displaceable in the rotation axis direction of the second roller so as to perform switching by the roller support member.